The sound of silence

Silence is a source of great strength.
Lao Tzu

I wrote this blog in the old fashioned way, with paper and pencil whilst I was visiting the very beautiful and serene Grayshott Spa last week. I was the guest speaker there but had time to relax and soak up the atmosphere whilst there.
As I sipped my coffee ( that's a rare thing for me, being a decaff tea lady myself) soft music was playing in the background- You know what I would call 'Lift' or 'lounge' music, the sort that includes no words, just soft tinkling of the ivories, the sort that blends into the surroundings, there but almost not there. The lilting sound, as I listened a little more closely, was i realised Simon and Garfunkel's 'The sound of silence'.

Mmmm - now there's a thought. The sound of silence. A rare phenomenon in truth. If you really consider it, we rarely experience true silence. Even when we find ourselves in a quiet moment, in quiet surroundings - Is there truly silence?

Try it. Find yourself a quiet space and just listen- listen to the silence.
I'll bet this is what happens:
At first you fidget
Then your mind chatters
Then your mind chatters even louder
All of a sudden where you were expecting silence, there's a cacophony of sound.

So how can we really experience the sound of silence?
How can we still the chatter and the noise and simply be present and in the moment?

Silence, without the need to fill the void- without the need to avoid simply sitting with ourselves by making a noise.
What makes us do that?
What purpose does the incessant chatter serve?
Do we plan?
Do we reminisce?
Do we allow our mind to be filled with trashy garbage?

What would the benefit be I wonder, to simply sit with the silence, without the need to fill it or fix it?

Perhaps, if we could just listen to the sound of silence, fully, intently, mindfully and whole heartedly, we might just make the space to allow clarity, calmness and inspiration in to our life.

Today I urge you to take time to simply be, to dive into the juicy moments of absolute quiet. And savour in listening to the sound of silence.
May you be filled with inspiration in those quiet moments today.

Until next time,
 Make every moment count,
Lisa xxx

Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.
Francis Bacon